PUPILS at a Scottish secondary school have become the first in the world to experience high-speed wireless internet connectivity – using light.
The next-generation technology from Edinburgh University spin-out pureLiFi, which was established by Professor Harald Haas six years ago, has been installed at Kyle Academy in Ayr.
The company’s LiFi-XC system uses eight LiFi-enabled LED bulbs in the ceiling and dongles which plug into the students’ laptops to enable the high-speed connectivity.
The move comes as the technology is under consideration by the Royal Navy and mobile operator O2 uses it in a network trial.
Naval trials showed LiFi was immune to interference caused by enemy jamming systems.
O2 is using the LED light bulbs for high-speed wireless connectivity at its headquarters in Slough.
Haas, the University of Edinburgh’s Chair of Mobile Communications, co-founded pureLiFi after years of pioneering research.
The technology is claimed to be 1000 times more powerful than existing Wifi systems and uses less energy.
He said: “LiFi was born in Scotland at a TED Global talk that I presented in 2011.
“Seven years later, I am absolutely thrilled to see true LiFi for the first time deployed in a school in Scotland.
“Connectivity has become a basic need to enable prosperity. This world’s first pilot not only offers secure connectivity in a school, but hopefully inspires the next generation to join us in innovating for humanity and prosperity.”
Edinburgh University is helping conduct the Kyle Academy project, which is being overseen by the Scottish Futures Trust.
The Scottish Government also supported the pilot scheme with a £16,000 grant through its Digital Schools initiative.
Alistair Banham, CEO of pureLiFi, said: “LiFi is a transformative technology that will enable the next generation of wireless communications.
“The students at Kyle Academy are taking part in the early adoption of technology that will someday be in every light and every device connecting everyone and everything.
“This is just the beginning for LiFi, on our journey toward unprecedented data and bandwidth.”
Councillor William Grant, who holds South Ayrshire council’s portfolio for lifelong learning, added: “It’s been really exciting for Kyle Academy to be part of this pilot project to enhance wireless technology and feedback from young people, who have definitely seen an improvement in connectivity, has been positive.
“It’s easy to see the potential the technology has, and the difference it could make in the future – not just in schools, but in business and in society – and I look forward to seeing how it moves forward.”
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